BASEL, SWITZERLAND

The handy tram to everywhere in Basel. We rode to town and met Craig for lunch.

Abby, 7 1/2, Luke, 21 months, and Grandpa Bob

Is he a 'Halder', or what !!!!

Here's our new Executive...

From Garmisch, we drove to Zurich so Don & Shirley could catch their flight home. Since son, Craig, and family now live in Basel, and it's only an hour away....... so on we go to Basel. Craig has a new position with Novartis. This will make it easier to see them more often. We're really excited about that. Mike, and family are in New Bern, NC, so we see them on the way to and from Italy.

GARMISCH AND OBERAMERGAU

We went nearby to the Christmas town of Oberamergau. Christmas ornaments everywhere. the mountain top is behind the Edelweiss and is the famous Zugspitz. On the top there is a bridge, and walk over it and you are in Austria.

ON TO GARMISCH, GERMANY

Are we old enough to do this yet???

The Army has a wonderful hotel in Garmisch. Perfect for some R&R when the fellows and families need a holiday. The Edelweiss. Flowers everywhere and over every balcony.

STILL VERONA

Bob and Don's favorite thing to do is 'have a little refreshment' and people watch, while we ladies go window shopping. Then we come back and join'em.

AND TO CONTINUE....

This is Lake D'Iseo.

A bit more of Brescia, before a night out in Verona. This is a favorite whenever we are in the north. Verona is very popular and has wonderful concerts at the famous anfitheater.

AND THE WHIRL-WIND GOES ON.......

Next is the Beretta Gun factory, in Brescia. It's the oldest factory in the world, starting in 1539. Since I was the one who did the translating, I got quite an education on guns, from the raw material to the finished product. A very interesting family. The building was the family villa, for over three generations, and grew from there. They make guns for our military, police force, and, of course, the Italian military and police and Carabinieri (military type police force). And this is only a small portion of who they supply. It's a very famous name, as you know.

SEPTEMBER- A WHIRL-WIND A PLENTY

Don & Shirley on one of the old market streets in Bologna

The yearly visit with the Kingery's, as usual, was go-go-go and get plenty done. We had an absolutly wonderful time. Some places evisited, some new and very interesting. It's a good thing we gals like some of the 'boys toys' and get a kick from it. We started the trip by going to Monza, the Formula 1 racing spectacle..... A rainy weekend but exciting to be on hand to see those drivers and cars! Next stop.... Ducati, the motorcycle racing world, in Bologna. A nice tour through the factory and the museum. The guys now love the 'Moto GP'.

Famous Italian Mozzarella di Bufala

We took a group of Navy Leaguers on a tour to a mozzarella factory. Just to get an idea of whats involved..... they put us in white coats, hats, and shoe covers. No, not the 'white coats' to carry us off to the 'funny farm'...... They wanted to make sure all was kept clean and protected, us and them.